Demon Hunters; FOR Hire

[Neow46]

Neow raised an eyebrow at Angel's sudden change of tone...


"Uhh... What do you mean...? I'm fine... u-unless you count the recovering shoulder eh-heh..."


He gave off a hint of worry in his voice...


He honestly felt completely fine aside from the shoulder and remaining physical wounds... but... was she referring something about... his powers?


"W-waaait, uhmm... if i'm thinking what you're thinking... are you talking about the souls...?"


He asked curiously, giving a worried look at Angel, the Orb still in his hands as he still sat on the leather couch.


"I'm not affected by the souls i absorb really.... Im more like the one that affects them...?"


He attempted to explain, unsure of what to say or do.

 

[ConverseGhost]

She narrowed her eyes, pulling away her paw. "Did you put up some sort of barrier? Or are my ears not working right?" she spoke lowly, tail twitching.


"Trust me, I know what souls sound like. What they can do. But this isn't about the soul, it's you," her jaw worked, tail whipping with frustration. "I can't hear your heart. I can hear mine but i can't hear yours. I can hear everything in this room but I can't hear you. Besides your voice," she began to shift her weight, almost as if she was ready to leap away from him.


Angelus felt her dagger at her hip, heavy now that she thought of it. And the gun tucked in the waistband of her jeans. She didn't want to use either of them but Neow was also part Demon. Or at least he said he was. Confusion filled her throat, her heart thudding faster. what was he and what was he doing? It had to be a barrier. Her ears had to be misfiring. It was a new model, something they were trying on her.

 

[Neow46]

(my bday today wheeeeeeee)


"No.. I haven't really touched my magic at all really..." Neow confusedly said... Listening worriedly, watching her shift her weight


"What do you mean you know what a-"


"Oh..."


Neow turned his head away from her, his ears flattening back on his head...


He fell silent for about a minute or two... thinking to himself wether he should tell her or not...


He let out a deep sigh....


"Do you really want to know what makes me the Mortal equivalent of a soul devourer? There's an explanation to why i don't have a beating heart..."


He said pensively and almost shamefully, keeping his eyes away from Angel...


"But I'm still not one of them, if that's seriously what you're thinking..." He turned his head, with a rather irritated look in his eyes and he frowned.

 

[ConverseGhost]

((Happy, happy birthday!!!))


"I have no reason to believe that. I have had...past experience with people turning to the wrong side," she spoke lowly, meeting his irritated eyes with her deadly calm ones "But go ahead. I'm listening," she nodded, arms crossed.


It made sense now. She knew there was something off about the Wolf the day she met him. Angelus had noted he was quiet but this was different. How could she have no registered it? It didn't matter now. She remembered how loud everyone was when she woke up from her surgery. The doctors checking her vitals, not speaking but she could hear their hearts pounding like drums.


Angelus remembered her headaches and having to be restrained from ripping them out of her head. But now...the doctors said this should keep unneeded noises lower but there would be no difference in her hearing. Besides less headaches, which she agreed to dutifully.


"Don't worry. I won't kill you," she sighed, tail settling in place once more.

 

[Neow46]

Neow sighs deeply... trying to keep his cool and and air of calmness about him.


"The reason why i'm able to devour souls is because of this."


Neow slowly took his t-shirt off, revealing a bright red Crystalline structure, appearing to be embedded directly in the center of his chest, it pulsated a bright red glow gently, almost matching his breathing. Around ti smaller bits of crystal poked out, as if it was some sort of growth underneath his fur...

Spoiler

"It's also the source of my magic, and is what keeps me alive. Kind of like that human, Tony Stark right? In any of those new Iron man movies or something.


I don't know what the hell it is really or where it actually came from, but one morning i woke up without a heartbeat and this literally growing out of my chest and inside my body.


But, as soon as I had a doctor look at it the day it decided to replace my heart, I was immediately thrown to the Order when they thought I was possessed by some kind of demon...


But after I found out I could create lightning bolts and offensive magics with it at the cost of some of my fatigue...


They consider this damn thing Divine somehow..."


Neow kept his gaze down at the Orb on the coffee table and his knife, not desiring to look angel in the eyes as his ears were kept folded back on his head defensively.


"Eventually we obviously found out I could absorb souls like an actual devourer does... Except demon souls rather then mortal souls..."


He sighed deeply again, now looking at Angel as if he was ashamed in some way...


"The damn bureaucrats though still haven't cleared me to consume the Lord souls and above they already have captive though, Mainly because they're still trying to research ways to interrogate those souls, and probably for god knows how much paperwork that would be created..."


Neow remained silent for a little bit... letting Angel take in what he just said...


"But... what they don't know..."


"Is that unlike a real devourer, I feel just SLIGHTLY more powerful with each of those demon's soul I take... And I've been slowly learning and gaining more powers with this... thing...


That recent lord soul though felt like almost three time the power of the usual soul...."


He said in a rather hushed tone...


"I'll be honest though..."


He started up again.


"The power gain is pretty minuscule to begin with... but... then again..."


Neow actually starts rubbing his chin in thought now, seeming less tense now...

 

[ConverseGhost]

"Why do you keep making that face? Like what you have, paired with your own mortal soul, is just the opposite of divine? What you have is power and you should be using it happily," she spoke a bit sharply.


Angel caught herself and took a breath. "I'm sorry. You're different from the other operatives and you're confused by what you have. You didn't have a guide like others," her voice calmer. Her amber eyes looked out the window and narrowed.


"If you feel as if you have to explain yourself to me, don't. I haven't asked of backstory from you so you won't ask a backstory of me. That's the O's job and I hate the way they go about it," Angel's voice holding a deeper meaning.


"But I'm not stopping you from taking that soul. It's not like you haven't already taken a soul in front of me," she nodded, ears scanning the building tops.


"You know, you have a real advantage with that rock in your chest. Unless its fragile," her eyes came back to his, emotionless and then they were down on the ground, embarrassed.


"I'm sorry. I'm being brass. I'm used to treating the O like dirt. But you're real. I have to acknowledge that. So you're saying that this meet up has no mission? Because, if it doesn't, I'm feeling as if this is a set-up," she chuckled softly, a bit more light in her eyes.


"I know it's not, it's just a bad play at a joke. I'm not good with...people," she frowned at the word.

 

[Neow46]

Neow kept his eyes away from Angel...


"The reason why I do is because you normally can't tell people that you devour souls without them freaking out..."


He sighed deeply...


"And I didn't mean this thing was demon like..." he gently brushed his fingers on the crystal embedded in his chest... "I meant it was the opposite, and... like... beyond us... Some of those stupid religious nuts at the O who know about my secret consider it a gift of "god" they say... which is why it... bothers me..."


He listened to Angel get calmer though, causing him to glance up at her...


"Yeah... I guess you could say i am pretty confused by it, nor do i follow all those rules..."


"I apologize for kinda explaining everything... Habit you pick up i guess after so many medical exams and interrogations about some sort of crystal structure growing in your chest.... You do get kinda used to it after they drill it into you anyways... heh...."


He listens further, now about the durability of the crystal in his chest..


"Hehe..." he chuckled kinda light heartedly, taking another drink of his juice.


"Trust me, this thing isn't fragile. More like it's friggin indestructible considering the amount of claws, blades, bullets, and magical blasts that it's saved my life from..." He knocks on the crystal dully... there were still no scratches upon it's jagged surface even after all it's went through...


"It's... honestly fine though.... A lot of O operatives tend to be total assholes to everyone anyways, no matter if you're human, Anthro, or an inbetween like me..." He sighed calmly, looking up at Angel when she mentioned there being no mission...


"Well it's definitely no set up, besides, I thought you were the one who was gonna bring news about some mission...? All they told me is that you were coming by to drop off some things for me and thats about it?" He looked at her with a quizzical look, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.


He smiled at Angel though about being Anti-social though


"Well, don't worry about it, I've never been good with people either hehe, i was a total nerd growing up... but... uhhhhhh... guess that means we're off today...? Or something...?"


He raised an eyebrow at Angel, an ear on his head lifting up along with the eyebrow.


"You... uhmm... wanna go out somewhere maybe...?" He asks, a slight blush going over his cheeks.

 

[ConverseGhost]

Angel listened silently then snarled suddenly. "I don't like that word. Anthro. What we are...What I am..." she indicated to her haunches and held up her clawed paws. "Well, we're animals. Humans are classified as animals as well but we...I. I am animal that can talk and walk. We kill. The only difference between us and the 'bad guys' are who we kill," she grounded her teeth, taking another step away from him.


"You shouldn't rely too much on that crystal. There are people who could take advantage of such a raw magic source," she whispered, suddenly sullen.


"I shouldn't take this out on you. As I said, I'm not good with people...." she closed her eyes then looked to him with softer eyes. "Do you have my dog tags?" Angel smiled and crossed her arms. "Don't tell me you've turned them into the O either because they know a Darkmane is working for them."


Another laugh escaped her but her tail whipped angrily. "You can ask. It doesn't matter, since you already shared so much with me," she nodded, her eyes on the ground.


Angel had no real idea how to respond to him asking her out. It's not like guys actually asked her out. A few have but, just like him, they worked in the O and she didn't want any part of O besides working their contracts. But she couldn't say no to him. Neow wasn't...well she didn't want to say he was different or else that'd be some stupid Romance movie cliche but there was something she needed to know about him. That crystal was...well, it wasn't something you saw everyday.

 

[Neow46]

"Sorry...." Neow apologized as Angel snarled...


"I honestly hate that word choice too... Its not like any of us remember any of the old names..." He said solemnly, again staring in front of him at the blank TV screen...


He raised an eyebrow at Angel though about relying on the crystal.


"Heh, You know I don't rely on it all the time!" He responded with a sort of light hearted smirk. A hint of defensiveness mixed with sarcasm in his voice... "I'm not stupid either! I'm my own adult! Besides I'd sooner die then become some sort of living power plant."


Plus, to be honest, he'd sooner kill too...


"Again.. Its... Fine..." He said in response to HER apologizing...


"I'm used to being treated like dirt by O too..."


He became slightly confused though when Angel asked him about the dog tags though...


Before remembering back to when they split off at the roof..


"Oh!"


He got up off the couch, again adjusting his glasses.


"Yeah, I still have them.. Why would I turn them in though...? But uhh, let me go... Get them for you?"


He said as he turned to the small hallway that led down to his room, the guest room and bathroom. Opening his door again, revealing a floor and open closet littered with cloths as he heads straight for his computer desk and then began searching for the tags he misplaced somewhere...


"So what's the Darkmane thing about? Last name right? You part of some family of vampires or something?" He shouted jokingly from his room as he went through a bunch of electronics and cords, searching...

 

[ConverseGhost]

She frowned in confusion and followed him, not by his tail but close. He didn't know who the Darkmanes were? She laughed humorlessly at his Vampire comment and shook her head.


"Not everyday that I meet someone who doesn't know who my father is," she laughed genuinely. "My father was...is Kazimir Darkmane. He worked for the O his entire life, just like his father before him. But, unlike my grandfather who was obsessed with 'justice', Kazimir was a glutton for power. He began working with Demons who, in return, gave him some of their Dark powers," she shuddered, the imaged in her head from her days as a kit.


"He, um...well he's the reason the O station up in Hong Kong blew up. The Chinese blamed the U.S. Embassy over in the next city since the two were having problems. The U.S. Embassy was trying to push more American operatives into their station but they rejected them all. It was perfect motive..." she whispered, eyes glazing over in thought.


Angel shook her head quickly and looked back to him, crossing her arms. "The Chinese captured everyone at the Embassy and held them for ransom. We lost millions and China is overflowing with Demons now. I haven't seen him since I was 16. Kazimir trained me to kill Humans like we do with Demons. But...on my first mission out I ran off. I knew he was wrong after...after I saw...things..." her voice suddenly emotionless.


"I joined the O under a different name and was almost kicked out when they found out who i was related to. They thought I was a double agent as well until I took several polygraphs. Even after everything...well, people never liked me from the start. So it's not like it matters that I treat them the same way they treat me. There, that should make up for all of the personal information you gave to me," Angel nodded.

 

[Neow46]

Neow stared wide eyed at Angel as the dog tags dangled in his hand.


Kind of shocked for multiple reasons...


"Well... Uhh...." Neow stuttered, rubbing the back of his head as he handed back her dog tags...


"That kind of explains... Well... A lot..."


He genuinely didn't know what to say... Although it wasn't whom she was related to that bothered her.... But the fact the Order withheld this information from him in the first place...


He sat down in his computer desk chair. Rubbing his temple in worrying thought....


"Shit.... That.... That honestly doesn't bode well for me..." He talked to himself, before realizing Angel was still standing right there.


"I-im sorry..." He said apologetically...


"Its not that I'm bothered by you but... Well... The Order here in America... You know they've been trying their damndest to cover up that incident... Right?


I knew that someone mortal caused it but... They never gave us names..? At.. Least I don't think they told me anything..."


Neow groaned as he tried to think, his face in his hands.


"Fuck.. Man... I don't think this is good.... Why would they withhold information like to me...?" He mummered to himself, feeling extremely concerned...


"You... don't think the Order's got an ulterior motive for me.. do you...?"


He asked almost sheepishly, the sound of his voice very clearly nervous... Looking at her with a concerned look in his eyes...

 

[ConverseGhost]

Angel returned his look but her golden eyes were hard with anger and betrayal. So. Because he was paired with someone of the likes of her the O MUST be planning something against him because of her past. She snarled and snatched the tags from his hand, tail whipping with anger.


"Sorry the O didn't tell you everything about me! I guess they expected everyone to know about my father!" she spat angrily and spun on her heel storming towards the door. She snatched up her jacket, heat in her cheeks. Of course it embarrassed her who her father was!


Her eyes burned and she lowered her head so her hair fell over her face, rejection still burning in her chest. Neow seemed nicer than the others. But this was the price of even the smallest bit of trust.


"I'll be sure to let them know that you want nothing to do with me! I don't want to go ruining your job!" she snarled lowly and yanked open the door and slamming it behind her. Angel shoved the tags in her pocket. They once were a touchstone when she felt emotions boil up but now they were just another brand of her father.


Her stomach turned at that thought and she escaped to her motorcycle, the sleek black body waiting patiently for her on the sidewalk.

 

[Neow46]

(not entirely sure how to respond here, but im tryin my best to think of something! just hold on there!)

 

[Neow46]

Neow jumped in his chair, frightened by Angel's sudden anger.


"W-wait!"


Neow exclaimed in surprise as Angel suddenly stormed off.


"I-I didn't say that! Angel please-"


She slammed the door before he could finish his sentence...


Neow uttered a swear to himself as he tried to think of what to do, all while confused, terrified and feeling especially stupid about himself...


He genuinely didn't know that there was a particular name tagged with the incident in China, he always remembered how hard the Order had been trying to cover the whole thing up...


This complicated so much he thought to himself...


This somewhat explains whatever the hell that green energy was that Angel seemed to carry about her... And now he understood why she was so aversive to magic and had such hostility but... This had to mean something bigger was going on with the Order and him in particular, as those damnable higher ups considered his power like a religious divinity...


Neow just about went to open his door before stopping to remember a shirt, turning quickly and stumbling as he swiped up a black T-shirt that he hastily threw over himself before rushing to his door and opening it, rushing into the open air stairwell and looking for Angel, spotting her already down to the side walk as he rushed to the railing.


"A-Angel! Wait!" He pleaded as he called out to her.


"P-please! I didn't say that! I didn't say I didn't want anything to do with you!"


He would continue to plead, hopefully she would turn to respond... A look of genuine worry in his face, hoping she would at least come back...


"P-please... Don't leave..."


He also didn't want to piss off his neighbors with this shouting... Let alone talk openly about order affairs around civilians... The old lady next door could be particularly nasty sometimes if someone disturbed her...

 

[ConverseGhost]

She flinched at his voice but out of fear that she'd hear him call her names like the men back at the O do. They think that she can't hear them...It's not like it didn't hurt, she just had control over silly things like that. But if she had control, why did she erupt like that with Neow? He's right, he didn't mean it like that. So why was she so sensitive to his thoughts about her? She snorted in dismissal but couldn't find the strength in her to ride off into the sunset.


Angel turned her head halfway, glad to see he had a shirt. It was harder to focus on his words when her eyes were locked on his bare collarbone. What the hell? She snarled once more and slammed her helmet back onto the bike, turning to face him fully but staying in her place.


"What? It's not like we're going anywhere! I came to drop off your things and to pick up mine! That's all this is," she called back with a frown and realized just then how this looked. Angel never thought of herself as a dramatic or that she'd be so insensitive if she ever broke up with a long term boyfriend but here they were, looking like they were cutting ties. It was a good cover for the neighbors to think and it almost made her laugh at the situation.


"What do you want, Neow?" she spoke softer, lowering her eyes to her paws and leaning against her bike, willing to let him talk. It's not like she could make anything worse, right?

 

[Neow46]

(Sorry for late responses blarghhh ;;; )


Neow sighed as he hurried down the stairs and ran out onto the sidewalk and approached Angel, taking a little breath after.


"Fair enough yes, that you're just here to drop some things off but..."


A small blush came over Neow's face as he tried to think about what to say next, hoping she wouldn't explode on him again...


"L-look... I'm sorry.. if i said anything...? B-but..." He tried to hide a confused expression as he rubbed the back of his head..


"I was.. I was just wondering, since we both had today off it seemed like...and uhh..."


Aww to hell with ti he thought....


He took a deep sigh and exhaled,.


"The point is that i'm.. i'm asking you to maybe go out with me... maybe..."


His cheeks were noticeably flushed as he tried to avoid looking at Angel...


"And... uhh... maybe still be my partner when it comes to.. uhh, Order... stuff..."


He couldn't exactly here outside where civilians could hear them... but he was just hoping she wouldn't explode on him again and maybe get out of his apartment for once that wasn't with family or Order work...


"J..Just please dont explode on me again,, please..?"

 

[ConverseGhost]

Her amber eyes widened in surprise at his soft voice. He wanted to go out with her still? It was sweet and her eyes softened slightly. He was blushing. At first, she thought about it but then flinched as he asked her to be his partner.


"You want to be my partner? You want to be the partner of a Darkmane?" she snorted in disbelief then ran a paw through her own hair.


"That's right, you know nothing about my...bloodline," she sneered at the word. "My father, Kazimir, had a partner. She was a magic user, Rosabella Mariae," her voice softer. "Kazimir loved her. They had a child...me. Hours after I was born, Kazimir told my Grandfather, Ruslan, that he was quitting the O. He had to stay with his family. Ruslan didn't want that, so Ruslan killed Rosabella. Kazimir then proceeded to kill his father and then began training me from the day I could walk to fight. The end," she turned her face away, embarrassment once flooding her cheeks.


"Still want that date? Besides, I don't mix Work and Pleasure. I won't be my father," she growled lowly. "But I am sorry for 'exploding' on you. I usually can control my temper. No offense, but you already confuse me. I'm used to being able to 'read' a person's feelings by hearing their heartbeat. Having to translate your words into emotions is much harder than my cheating method," she chuckled.


"You're a nice guy, Neow. I can tell you know how to keep secrets. Even without hearing your heartbeat," Angel's voice got low, looking at him with big eyes. But instead of the thin ring of green that was around her iris like last time, it was purple. Angle clenched her jaw then closed her eyes.


"But if you want to go...grab some lunch together, I'd like that," her voice became lighter as she tried to be friendly. It's been a while since she was friendly to just a stranger.

 

[Neow46]

(Can't bother to color text this time around)


"W-well,... Yeahhh.. You're kind of the only partner that's ever really been kind of... Well, for one, able to really understand and I guess was willing to listen about uhh.. You know... "


He taps lightly on his chest where the crystal would be underneath his shirt...


"People... Tend to not understand that sort of thing well... You know..?"


Neow glanced nervously back at his apartment complex, making sure no neighbors were listening in on them...


"B-but yeah! I think an extended partner ship could h-help both of us! Since.. I uhh, don't have much knowledge about your family until... Now.. That is.."


He drew a blank at what to kinda say next now as he listened to Angel... He spaced out for a minute before standing up straight again and rubbing the back of his head...


"And uhh.. Yeah I kinda do... I guess ha-ha... And it's fine... Its not like people.. Or girls... haven't exploded on me before ha-ha...


And d-dont worry, you're not the only person I've confuse ha-ha..."


He let out a small chuckle as he gave a light hearted smile to her.


He noticed the slight glow in her eyes, the purple standing out to him in contrast to back at the Ashdale incident where they were green... He'd keep this in the back of his mind now knowing her background, but he won't comment on it for now...


"T-thank you... I do definitely know how to keep secrets hehe.." He blushed at her comment... Sure he got the nice guy thing alot, but, moreso in a belittling way where as here he felt it was a compliment...


"Lunch would be nice... Just uhh, let me actually get some actual cloths on versus my Jamie's ha-ha..."


As he turned to go back into his apartment though he turned his head back to her.


"You uhh, just wanna meet somewhere, take my car.. Or uhh take your bike I guess....? I'm kinda up for eating whatever, so uhh.. You're choice and everything..?" He asked curiously... Waiting for a response before he went on.

 

[ConverseGhost]

It was funny watching the Wolf struggle for words. Not in a mean way but...well, he was stumbling for words to say to her. And it wasn't out of fear either. It was flattery in and of itself but she wouldn't let it go to her head. She'd already said too much about herself. If she kept up this sharing shit, his head was going to be staining her apartment welcome mat.


"Ever been to Charlie's? It's just ten minutes away. My treat. And, yes, I'll meet you there," she gave a sideways smile and threw a leg over her bike. "Don't dress too nice or else you won't fit in," she teased and turned the keys for her bike.


It purred to a start and she pulled the dog tags out of her pocket. Angel clipped it back around her neck and she let loose a sigh she didn't know she was holding. Her paw ran over the dented metal, claws sheathed. "Make due with that pretty little Orb you have then bring it with you. It's borrowed so I'll have to return it," she nodded and put on her helmet.


Knocking back the kick stand and pushing off the side walk, Angel rode out onto the road and disappeared behind cars and buildings.

 

[Neow46]

"Got it and consider it done!"


Neow shouted as he headed back up into his apartment as Angel drove off... Opening and closing his door as he snatched up the orb and his knife from his coffee table before heading to his room to change...


This oughta be good for a change.. he thought to himself... It feels like its been forever since he's done anything social or let alone normal outside of his online life or job at the Order...


Even with the recent outbreaks, incidents, and rising numbers of Demons... There was still quite a lot of good and Hope in the world...


Despite the hypocrisy and mad beaurocracy at the Order, they were doing a good job still of keeping Demons and other hellish beings out of most this world, which was ever better then the first outbreaks and Demons appeared a long time ago when the world only thought they were a myth...


Adjusting his Jacket one more and placing his silver knife in its hidden pocket and adjusting his hidden arm crossbow and pistol, Neow turned his attention to the Orb which laid ominously on his bed...


"May as well make this quick..." He muttered to himself as he picked up the shiny black sphere....


Placing his right hand on the Order's seal, Neow's chest glowed brightly as the many indentations and lines on the orb glowed bright red as he begun to feel himself reach in for the Lord Soul...


It seemed to panic as the tendrils of the grey wolf's magic began to ensnare and eat at its very being... Neow could feel the power rushing into him now as Red sparks of magic and electricity began to form themselves around him...


Man... This guy is powerful.. Did Angel really take him down all by herself? He thought as the soul struggled against him, causing more sparks to appear around him as he kept draining its power....


Soon enough, the soul's power was fully drained and taken, the energy surge around Neow calmed as the crystal on his chest glowed warmly, feeling sated and rejuvinates in a sense as the power flowed through him... The obsidian orb now empty and ready to take another soul...


"Well, time to get going then..." He muttered with a smile now as he pocketed the orb, taking his keys and locking the door behind him...


Heading out to his car, Neow quickly started up the Engine, and started driving his way to where they would meet at Charlie's....


Huh... Sounds like one of those old fashioned diner's.... I think I know where it is though...


(Go ahead and take it from here if you want!)

 

[ConverseGhost]

Angel passed by the diner at twice the legal limit. The O had people controlling who was ticketed and who got through the city without being tagged, so she knew that the men back at the O would let her hit 100 if she wanted. Not because any O Operative was allowed to break the speed limit. No, she had them under her paw.


Angel could be very intimidating if she wished to be.


instead, Angel parked outside of her tiny apartment complex, not two blocks away from the O HeadQuarters. She liked to be close to the action. She took off her helmet and took it to her apartment with her. It was on the bottom floor, so she could slide in and out quickly.


It was relatively small, the living room consisting of only a large TV and a comfy looking couch. To the left of that was her tiny kitchen that held many cabinets and a half island. On the far right of the room was a long hall that had two doors, one leading to her even smaller bathroom and her surprisingly roomy bedroom. Which was stocked up high with every weapon she owned.


Angel threw the helmet onto the couch and went back to her room. She changed into a pair of baby blue jeans, checking her hidden dagger on her thigh and gun at her waistband. The silencer was already screwed on it, her ears still sensitive to those things. Angel discarded her hoodie and brushed off her shirt. By habit, she rubbed her wrists absentmindedly, going back to her living room.


"Please let me have a nice lunch with no Demons," she looked to her ceiling and begged softly. Without waiting for an answer, she snatched up her helmet and got back on her bike. She was outside of the diner in seconds.


Angel waited patiently outside of the door, humming to herself. Was she nervous? Usually she wasn't? Was it because this guy asked her on a date? A snarl almost appeared on her lips once more but a little girl waved to her and she waved back with a smile. Angel, at the moment, could've passed off as some sort of house cat, claws sheathed and bright smile.

 

[Neow46]

(Again, apologies for lateness wehhh ;;; so much busy, and i just finished another 3000 word update for AG X_X)


Neow soon pulled up to the restaurant in his car, seeing Angel waiting by the door for him...


Damnn did i really take long enough for her to be able to change that quickly...? He thought almsot shamefully to himself...


She looks kinda excited though with that smile on her face...





Getting out and locking his car, making sure he had the orb in his pocket, he waved to Angel as he approached, feeling rather nervous,s till trying to remember how long he took...


"I uhh, didn't... take too long did I?" He said nervously... ( Although i kinda did lol *slaps self*)


"I mean like.. you've changed already and uhh... Y'know lets just, go inside yeah?" he smiled Nervously at her, opening the door for her and showing themselves in...


After they sat down at a booth or table, Neow looked down the menu...


I kinda hope she doesn't mind a picky eater.... maybe ill just get a steak or something if they have those and try to act normal... he nervously thought to himself...


"So uhh, you come here often then?" he asked Angel, trying to start up a casual conversation.

 

[ConverseGhost]

((AG? What's that?))


Spotting the shy Wolf, her smile fell from bright to polite. She didn't want him believing that she was on a date. Hell, she didn't want herself to believe it. "You're just in time, actually," she nodded her thanks as she slid through the door he held open for her.


She got comfy in the booth and flipped through the menu, searching for anything that she might be able to eat. Angel still kept to the strict diet her father had given her purely out of habit. "I might have broken several laws to get changed this fast, so I was actually early. Don't worry about it," amber eyes watching him from over the menu.


"If you're trying to make idle chit chat with me, you're not succeeding," she set the menu down, her voice teasing him goodnaturedly. "Not because of the topics but because of how nervous you sound. You know I won't hurt you, right?" she raised an eyebrow and laughed softly as if it was a joke in and of itself.


"But no, I've been checking this place out for a little bit. I found it was Demon free and thought I might stake claim over something myself," Angel nodded. "So if it's got horrible food, don't blame me."

 

[Neow46]

(Ag stands for Among Gods, the roleplay that I host! I've got a link in my signature to it! But it looks like signatures don't seem to show up on mobile....)


Neow raised a concerns eyebrow at her mentioning breaking speed limits.


"You uhh... Didn't have to rush for me honestly... If that was your intent anyways?" He spoke softly as he listened to her.


At the same time it didn't really surprise him, considering her personality as he knew it so far...


"Y-yeah.. Sorry... I know you won't hurt me or anything but... Its kinda like, social situations like this I just get kinda nervous sometimes trying to make a good impression y'know?"


He actually let out a small chuckle himself at her last statement...


"Hehe... You've never actually been here before then?" He asked, a bit of a joking tone coming from him actually.


"Can't say I understand what you mean by "stake claim" over this little restaurant, but isn't keeping things demon free part of our job ain't it?" He joked a bit, smiling at Angel as he set his own menu down...


Granted, Demons were literally everywhere these days, but some of them weren't always nesscessarily evil... Or dangerous even.


Hell, this restaurant probably had an imp working in the back or something, maybe managing numbers in the managers office probably or in some other tedious task. It wasn't common, but every now and then there'd be a minor or non-dangerous demon occasionally working low end jobs in poorer areas without any pay. Most were illegal, but if they aren't immediately killed by an Order agent, they could be registered on very rare occasions as "summoned or bound" creatures. Which honestly in Neow's opinion was just a more polite definition for slavery. But Demons were Demons, and didn't exactly think or even feel the same way that he or Angel did. So it passed by his standards anyways.


Soon enough, a young looking Leopard girl in a waitress outfit approached their table, greeting them and asking for what they wanted, apologizing for taking so long to get to them, even though it wasnt even busy in here... She was using that typical "Customer service" tone of voice, but watching her body kovements qnd the weariness in her eyes, the young waitress seemed very stressed... With the outfit she was wearing, Neow imagined the poor girl probably got a lot of unwanted shit for it.


"I think I'd like uhh..." He double checked his menu, quickly spotting something he wanted.


"I'll take the chicken tenders basket, no scauces and just fries would be great. I'll take a cola to go along with that, thank you."


His own time of voice was very polite when answering her as she quickly wrote everything down.


Be couldn't help but wonder though.. And quickly asked the girl...


"Is there something the matter? You seem kinda stressed."


He glanced at Angel to see what she would say and if she recognized the waitresses stress too...

 

[ConverseGhost]

Angel smiled at him, already seeing him get slightly more comfortable around her. He seemed nervous about being in public but also friendly, as if he wanted friends but didn't have the bravery to make any. Which was quite the opposite of Angel.


"I didn't break them for you, if that's what you're so concerned about," she raised her menu once more.


"Splash a little blood on that sentence and that's our job title, yeah," she mumbled a bit softer, spotting a meal option. After she was pleased with the description, she set it down and pushed it to the end of the table.


As the leopard approached, she could hear her heart beat in a quickened pace. Faster than slight nervousness, almost as if she was scared. Angel didn't think it could've been caused by Neow or her, the two just chatting in a booth. But she ordered with Neow, asking for an unsweetened tea and a garden salad with dressing on the side.


What took her by surprise was how...open Neow reached out to her. He was so nervous with Angel that his interactions with the waitress were almost as if they were friends themselves. As he spoke to her, Angel assessed the room for threats. There were a few truckers at the bar, stopping in for a quick lunch, and a handful of elderly couples sitting in booths scattered around the restaurant. No one of true threat, unless one of those truckers were an abusive boyfriend.


Maybe they were cat calling her. Angel would have no idea the feeling, considering most could sense her no-bullshit attitude from a mile away. "Are you cold?" she spoke softer, suddenly kinder. She looked to Neow, eyeing his jacket. She could easily buy him three more of the same kind if he gave it reluctantly. And Angel remembered ditching her own back at home.